My Response to, "I'll Pray for You"

The "I'll Pray for You" is the ultimate conversation ender, or useless phrase thrown in which can be used in a variety of variations: goodbye, you're a fool, oh you're sick that's so sad but I'm not going to do anything of value, (while struggling with demon inside the collar of your shirt) you're... threatening... me... with reason... and I need... a way... out, you're going to war and i'm your honey. It pisses me off. They use it for everything and then what is a normal non-believer supposed to say? This is my own prayer, well, in my religion (science) we call them wishes.

Thank you for your prayers. In return, I shall wish into the dark abyss of Nothing that the next time you feel the urge to go to Church, say a prayer, or read some faith based material, you reach for a Science textbook instead.

Recently someone tossed that out at the end of a political debate. One that had nothing to do with religion. I have to say, I came unhinged. As a response to a political debate, "I'll pray for you." came off so insulting that phrases like fuck you, fuck your religion, asshole, etc just fell out of my mouth, or on to the keyboard as it were. I like Robert's response, but there are inappropriate times that would elicit a harsh response from me. But if it's at a time of struggle, I give the benefit of the doubt and assume that they don't know what else to say.